I'm confused

Cbelle

Cathlete
If you can't build muscle while in a calorie deficit (diet) whats the point in lifting weights while tryingto lose weight? wouldnt it make more sense to do strictly cardio while losing weight and THEN lifting weights to add muscle after?
 
I have never heard of this...not being able to build muscle on a cal. deficit so I can't answer your question...sorry. Hopefully someone can though! :)

ETA: I was just thinking about this and not all work outs are geared for muscle BUILDING. Endurance work outs tone your muscles, (as opposed to building muscle)so it would still be worth while to do weight work IMO so that you can tone up.
 
Me neither.But does cal.deficit diet mean low in protein.if one were on a diet and still ate a fair amount of protein, I think they would still be able to build muscle.
Lori:)
 
i never heard of this either. i though that if you lift a certain method and take in the correct amount of protien you can still build muscle(but only so much as a woman)i will post this on my other group and see if my bodybuilding friend has any answers.

kassia

When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be
disappointed to discover they are not it -- Bernard Bailey
 
from what I understand, you need excess calories AND protein to build muscle. I've heard this from various trainers and I think even here its been discussed before.

While we're on the topic we can discuss "toning" vs "building" muscle as well since I think this is somewhat bogus.
 
You probably do need more calories to build muscle b/c if you go to the BFL website, they will ask for your requirements....eg...build muscle/lose fat....lose fat...etc...and when you want to build muscle your calories are higher.BFL focuses on equal amounts of protein and carbs (which we all know) so when you choose the build muscle eqaution it will give you the amount of cals/carbs/protein and fat you need to do so.
When you lean out of course you need to cut cals but you also have to keep lifting to that you don't lose the muscle you built.
Oh...I dunno:7 Im sure there is an expert around here somewhere...they are just not out of bed yet!:+
Lori:)
 
The BFFM program teaches this as well and I never did get it. Since I've started the program I've been doing heavy lifting and cardio along with changing my eating ratios and have had complete success. I was able to build muscle AND lose fat. Although they say most people can't do this, I had no problem with it.
 
Interesting question. Someone have the answer?

I know I haven't had any problem building muscle and I know my cals are not as high as they could or should be, but my protein intake is about 140-150 a day. The scale still says the same ever friggin' day. My hubby swears the scale is not working right! LOL!

Charlotte~~
 
The point in lifting weights is that the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn while you do cardio and while you are resting. You could do all cardio and then weights if you wanted, but it would take much longer to lose weight.

Anytime that you don't get enough calories/nutriets, your body is more reluctant to let go of fat/cellulite. I could understand a problem building muscle if you are working out too much or not eating enough protein, or eating enough period. You could do cardio all you want, but when you add weights you burn lose weight faster, but you must also eat when you are hungry and not always go for the calorie free/fat free options. I am not a huge fan of calorie deficits and I have never lost weight that way, nor do I know anyone who has kept weight off using calorie deficit diets. When you think about it, it really doesn't make sense. They key is knowing how your body works and sending it the right messages.

Missy
 
"ETA: I was just thinking about this and not all work outs are geared for muscle BUILDING. Endurance work outs tone your muscles, (as opposed to building muscle)so it would still be worth while to do weight work IMO so that you can tone up."

Wendy, I'm not sure what "toning" really is. I think it's just muscle building on a smaller scale. What else can it be?
 
Missy,

Hey there girl!

I never used calorie deficit to lose weight either...until now. I am zig zagging and it is working wonders for me. It's different from just a flat out deficit though as I eat more every 4th day so that my body doesn't realize that I am "depriving" it the rest of the time. I actually don't FEEL deprived and often times have to force myself to eat more just to make my cals even on the deficit days! The weight is coming off at a healthy average of 1 pound per week so I should be okay when it comes time for maintaining the loss. :)

Nancy,

Toning IS a rather vague term, isn't it? I guess what I mean is muscle maintainence as opposed to building. Lifting to KEEP the muscle you have as opposed to lifting to BUILD MORE. Does that make more sense? :)
 
Even if you aren't building muscle, you are maintaining the muscle that you have by working with weights. If you didn't do any weight work and only did cardio and followed a weight-loss eating plan, then you would not only lose fat, but muscle as well, which would slow your metabolism.

Losing weight (fat) does seem incompatible with gaining weight (muscle), but there can be a middle ground where you are building some muscle and burning some fat. Though pro body builders usually concentrate on one at a time: building muscle, as well as gaining weight overall, in the "off season," then losing the excess fat while maintaining the muscle in the "pre-contest" period.

I think if you want to lose "a lot" of weight or gain "a lot" of muscle, those two are incompatible at the same time.
 
>Wendy--You're awesome!!:)
>
>Michele

MOI??? Why in the world would you say that??

TYVVM, by the way! :) I am certainly not ungrateful for the compliment just curious is all!:)
 
Well because--you formulated a smart, healthy plan and you've stuck with it! Not everybody has the tenacity to do that. I think you should be really proud of yourself, young lady ;) :)

Michele
 
>Well because--you formulated a smart, healthy plan and you've
>stuck with it! Not everybody has the tenacity to do that. I
>think you should be really proud of yourself, young lady ;)
>:)
>
>Michele

Thanks Michele. I actually can not take credit for the plan...that was Sarah's doing but I certainly will take the credit for sticking with it! :+ :) :+

Thanks again! You are a sweetie. :*
 
I have to second what Debbie was saying about the BFFM program - it really does help you understand how to lose fat while keeping muscle. And does explain quite throughly that it is impossible to lose fat and gain muscle at the same time. But there are ways to work the program to be able to lose the fat - and maintain or have muscle/LBM gains. BFFM also stresses that cardio alone is not the answer - weight training is very important.

As Wendy has said and with BFFM - there is a lot to the calorie cycling. I do the same thing - although it can be hard to make yourself eat more on those higher calorie days. It makes it seem like such a treat, which of course is a good thing! :)
 
well this all my bodybuilding friend had to say

"Hi Kassia...you're really testing us this week... :) hmmmmmmmmm...
well, some would say it takes a lot to lose muscle, but I say why
chance it...soooooooooooooooo, since you are in calorie deficit I
personally would lift to at least try to hold on to the muscle I
have...another thing is when bodybuilders (natural ones) get ready
for a contest they lift and do cardio...I can actually say this with
some experience...I did both for prep and I gained an extra 5 pounds
of muscle in a 16 week period...this was checked with both calipers
and underwater(the gold standard for body composition)...I did
cardio 6 days first thing upon waking and lifted later in the day
after work...sooooooooooo, I'd say it's a must to do both to get the
results you want in the shortest amount of time...hope that
helps... :)"

and for the cardio comment, i know MOST(some are lucky not to have to any at all) body builders do low impact and nothing to high b/c they want to be in a fat burning stage and they only do about 20-30 mins. 4 days a week. if they go to high for to long to often they could start burning muscle which is the opposite they want to do.

as for weights i have always done them but recently started doing it for gaining size on upper body but i am still playing with this a bit.


kassia

When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be
disappointed to discover they are not it -- Bernard Bailey
 

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